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A look at four popular multimode/multiband low-power radios--comparing features, look and feel, operating impressions and special features.

First, a few disclaimers:

• To make the comparisons feasible, I had to limit the number of radios involved. I've included transceivers currently available commercially in the US offering multimode and multiband operation, are self-contained (ie, no extra band modules to switch) and produce output power in the typical QRP range. (NOTE: Since I can only provide observations on rigs that I have access to, I will unfortunately have to omit the SGC-2020. Perhaps another time.)

• I've listed the radios in alphabetical order by manufacturer, so their order of appearance does not represent any preference.

• This is not a technical review. The ARRL Lab already does an excellent job with that. ARRL members may view past "Product Review" columns, including those for the rigs in this column in QST or on the ARRL Web site: The Elecraft K2 (March 2000), Icom IC-703 (July 2003) and IC-703-Plus (November 2003), SGC 2020 (October 1998), Ten Tec 516 Argonaut-V (April 2003), Yaesu FT-817 (April 2001).

• All opinions are my own, based on my operating style and feelings. These do not reflect those of the ARRL, its staff or advertisers or the manufacturers of these radios.

The K2 from Elecraft.

Icom's IC-703 Plus

The Argonaut-V from Ten Tec

Yaesu's FT-817ND

Comparing

Whenever you compare radios from different manufacturers it is hard to avoid the apples and oranges conundrum, since personal tastes almost inevitably color our impressions. Even easily measured characteristics, such as weight or size, can have varying appeal.

So, which is the best QRP radio? It's the one that best fits your personal preferences and operating style--and even those may change over time. If you're fortunate enough to be able to purchase more than one model, I don't think you would be disappointed.

For the following chart I have simply listed the straightforward items--measurements and lists of features along with the more subjective evaluations. I have chosen to rank the four radios from first to fourth with a number one being the model I felt was best in that category (green = 1^st, yellow = 2^nd, orange = 3^rd and red = 4^th.) For some features I included specific comments and footnotes with more information.

In addition to the chart below, an on-line spreadsheet version is available that allows you to weight importance of each feature based on your needs. The spreadsheet will then calculate a numerical value for each radio to assist you in the selection process. By using a cool new software tool, Excel Everywhere, readers can now use the spreadsheet without having a copy of the Excel program installed on their computer. The new software also eliminates the need for reader to download the file. If you try this, let me know how well it worked for you.

Features	Elecraft K2 (w/ KSB2-SSB & Microphone options)	Icom IC-703 Plus	Ten Tec 516 Argonaut-V	Yaesu FT-817 ND
Current price	$746	$549	$795	$629
Commercially assembled	No (Independent builders for hire are available)	Yes, two models available	Yes, software defined	Yes
Available as a kit	Yes	No	No	No
Bands, transmit	80-10 (160 optional; VHF/UHF transverters available)	160-10 (Plus model includes 6)	160-10	160 m through 70 cm; includes repeater function and CTCSS tone encode
Bands, receive	Ham bands only	General coverage	General coverage	General coverage (including VHF/UHF)
Modes	CW/SSB	CW/SSB/AM/FM/Dig	CW/SSB/AM/FM/Dig	CW/SSB/AM/FM/Dig (WBFM rcv only)
PSK operation	Requires third-party external interface	Requires third-party external interface	Interface built in	Requires third-party external interface
Updatable ROM	Yes. Purchase and change IC	No	Yes. Download free Flash ROM software	No
Computer control interface	Optional internal board	Optional external unit	Built-In (not supported by all software)	Built in; requires accessory cable
Size- (H x W x L)	3.4 x 7.9 x 9.9 in 6.1 x 20.1 x 25.1 cm	2.3 x 6.6 x 7.9 in 5.8 x 16.7 x 20.1 cm	2.8 x 8.5 x 9.7 in 7.1 x 21.6 x 24.6 cm	1.5 x 5.3 x 6.5 in 3.8 x 13.5 x 16.5 cm
Volume (cubic inch/cubic cm)	266 / 3077	120 / 1946	231 / 3773	52 / 846
Weight (less batteries)	3.3 lb / 1.47 kg	4.3 lb / 1.95 kg	5 lb / 2.268 kg	2.6 lb / 1.179 kg
Detachable head / separation cable	No	Yes	No	No
Support bail (tilt)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Carrying handle	No	Optional	No	No
Shoulder strap	No	No	No	Yes
Customized carry case/backpack	No. Third-party backpack available	Yes. Custom Icom backpack LC-156	No	Yes. Yaesu or third-party backpack
Internal antenna tuner	Yes (optional)	Yes	No	No
Internal battery	Yes (optional)	No	No	Yes
Power consumption: transmit--current / minimum voltage *	2.5 A (10 W out) / 9 V	2.5 A (9 W out) / not listed	7.5 A (18 W out) / 12 V	1.9 A (5 W out) / 8 V
Power consumption: receive	0.15 to 0.30 A	0.32 to 0.58 A	0.50 to 1.10 A	0.34 to 0.45 A
Filters	Standard. User-definable bandwidth	Optional CW or SSB (Mechanical)	Standard. Continuously adjustable IF	Optional. CW or SSB (Mechanical)
DSP	Optional	Yes	Yes	No
Built-in keyer	Yes, with memories	Yes, with memories	Yes, no memories	Yes, no memories
Keying method	Diode-switched (silent)	Relay (audible)	Diode-switched (silent)	Relay (audible)
Audio	Older versions may require modification to provide linear, noise-free AF-gain adjustment	Good volume and clarity	Rich-sounding audio, especially noticeable on AM and SWL	Smallest speaker
Memories	10	105	100	200 (can be separated into 10 groups of 20)
Display	Green LCD, single row of digits with small caret indicators for VFO A/B, Antenna A/B, Preamp, etc	Yellow LCD. Largest display size of the group. Digits plus multifunction displays of menu items	Green LED digits	LCD with blue or yellow user selectable color. Digits plus multifunction displays of menu items
Display size (W x H)	2.6 x 0.6 in	2.5 x 1.6 in	4.5 x 0.8 in	1.4 x 0.7 in
Display digit size (inches/mm)	0.38 in / 9 mm	0.3 in / 8 mm	0.44 in / 11 mm	Two user selectable sizes- 0.16 in (4 mm) or larger 0.28 in (7 mm)
Metering	Bar-graph LEDs, separate from display	Bar-graph LCD, in main display	Analog, separate from the display	Bar-graph LCD (smallest), in main display
Band scope	No	Yes	No	Yes
Power saving by turning off display backlighting	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

* Power consumption as measured by ARRL Lab and manufacturer's specifications

Reader Feedback and Author Comments

I have a new Web site URL, http://www.k8zt.com/, so please change your bookmarks/favorites and any links you may have to my site. I currently have link pages with information on the K2, Argonaut-V and FT-817. I am working on a page for the IC-703.

Editor's note: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, an ARRL Life Member, lives in Stow, Ohio. He has worked in the field of medical microbiology for 18 years and is now a Technology and Computer Coordinator for a local school district. Luscre is an avid QRP operator having earned DXCC, WAS and WAC using no more that 5 W output. Readers are invited to contact the author via e-mail, k8zt@arrl.net or visit his Web site.

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